TEMPE, Ariz. - Tim McKenney of Scottsdale, Ariz., carded a 68 to remain the Boys Division leader for a 9-under-par 133 at the PING Phoenix Junior. Taylore Karle, also of Scottsdale, leads the Girls Division with a 7-under-par 135 tournament total after firing a Girls Division low 66 during the second round of the PING Phoenix Junior at ASU Karsten Golf Course.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the PING Phoenix Junior is a 54-hole stroke play event being held at the ASU Karsten Golf Course. The tournament features 63 boys and 21 girls, ages 12-18, from 18 states, Canada and Mexico.

McKenney, who carded six birdies in the round, started the day off on the right foot with a birdie on his first hole knocking his third shot a foot away from the hole.

â€śThe birdie on No. 10 was a great start to the day,â€ť McKenney said. â€śToday was not as easy as yesterday; I had to work a lot more.â€ť

McKenney, a high school senior credited his round to consistent putting as he tallied 26 putts in round two.

â€śI made longer putts today and I have been putting really well the last couple of days,â€ť McKenney said.

Roberto Galletti Jr. of Clayton, Calif., is alone in second place with a 8-under-par 134 tournament total. In third place at 7-under-par 135 is Rickie Fowler of Murrieta, Calif. Scottsdale native Drew Kittleson stands alone in fourth place with a 6-under-par 136 tournament total. James Dalthorp III of Los Angeles sits in fifth place with a tournament total of 4-under-par 138.

In the Girls Division, Karle credited her consistent play carding six birdies in the round en route to the Girls low round.

â€śThe birdie on the first hole really started off the day well,â€ť the 15-year-old said. â€śI am feeling pretty confident and I am ready to come out to play tomorrow.â€ť

Despite being a Scottsdale native, Karle is treating this tournament like any other.

â€śThis is just like any other tournament and I am not treating it any differentlyâ€ť Karle said. â€śYou have to get used to the course, make adjustments and get used to the weather.â€ť

One shot behind Karle in second place is Angela Park of Torrance, Calif., with a 136 two day total. Patty Chawalitmetha of Bellflower, Calif., is in third place with a 140 tournament total.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA, the largest Association of its kind, has a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, a supporter of the AJGA since 1983, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 200 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 280 wins. AJGA alumni include Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Dottie Pepper, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Beth Bauer.

Final-round tee times will run Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:27 a.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees. For more information about the PING Phoenix Junior, contact tournament headquarters at 480-921-8070.

The American Junior Golf Foundation is the primary recipient of all charitable giving to the AJGA and as such administers a variety of programs designed to compliment the AJGA and the members and families who make up our community. Learn more about these important programs and how your contributions to the Foundation secure the AJGA’s financial future for future generations to come.

The Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program provides financial assistance to junior golfers who wish to play in AJGA events. Its goal is to give top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps to fulfill the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

Leadership Links

What is Leadership Links?

Leadership Links is a new program whereby the AJGA is able to further its mission to help develop young men and women by teaching charitable giving skills and service-oriented practices at an early age. This program gives juniors all the tools necessary to donate their time, talent and resources to local charities and the AJGA youth development programs. Please click here to learn more about the program and the different opportunities available.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and
development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.